Is China's growing military budget really a concern?

Question

Just comparing military spending here (Centre For Arms Control & Non Proliferation, Feb08)

USA $711 billion

China $122 billion

Given the fact that the United States has such an overwhelming lead in this area, why are they so concerned about China? Each year the Chinese release their military spending figures, the United States demands to know why they are increasing spending...

Geographically China is roughly the same size as the USA, their population is nearly 4 times larger, and their GDP (as measured by the CIA World Factbook) is about half that of the USA.

Perhaps it's because China seems to be rapidly catching up? But at the moment, I would have to argue that Chinese military spending is pretty poor when compared with the USA.

Ultimately, the larger nuclear powers like China, Russia, and the United States can lay the planet to waste if they chose to.

Answer 1

china only reports about 1/3 of what they are spending on anything.they down play crimes on humanity,on the economy,and over all health of the nation.you don't hear  how they are losing thousands of acres a year in the dust bowl taking over their country.they lie all of the time.

Answer 2

Under McCain, yes.  More militarism and transfer of wealth away from our economy will empower and motivate the superpowers of the world to stand against us.

Answer 3

Most of this spending may be to retain the power of the communist regime in a nation that has become decidedly capitalist. As the private sector becomes ever more powerful so they must worry. Remember Tienanmen Square.

Answer 4

well china is going to have the worlds most powerful army soon, they already got the numbers they just need the equipment

and china is rapidly developing so it will be richer than the US soon

and china is kinda allies with russia and iran

so that's why the US are concerned

Answer 5

Yes it is a cause for concern. Everyone must ask themselves the following: Who would be better to deal with this situation, citizen of the world Obama, or hot-headed war monger McCain.

Answer 6

What makes you think America spends more than China on weapons. China spends 50% of there Income on Weapons Dont think they are behind us,The biggest mistake we can make is underestimating the Chinese.

Answer 7

The fear is simply one of ultimate control.  China with a competent (and equal) military has absolutely zero reason to heed warnings or suggestions from any foreign source, including the USA.  Differences in governing practice would remain differences, and there would be no more "trump" card (read military incursion) as a threat.  Bottom line: diplomacy has never been more important than now, as many countries are reaching this same point.  As you correctly point out, a lot of them have capacity to lay the world to waste.  Military threats then backfire.

Answer 8

even if China is catching up to the US as a powerhouse, i still think they are far behind from the innovations that have come from the U.S. and to be honest, in todays world, i dont think there will be anymore substitutes for powerhouses anymore. because the world is soo much globally connected, that everyone has an advantage and now that everyone is making nuclear bombs, the world powers are pretty much at a stalemate, but thats just my opinion.